PHB vs VXUS
Invesco Fundamental High Yield Corporate Bond ETF vs Vanguard Total International Stock ETF
Which is better, PHB or VXUS?
High Yield Bond against Large Cap Blend.
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. PHB led over the full window, VXUS over 1Y.
MarketXLS is not an investment adviser. This comparison is generated automatically from market data and is for information only. A Best mark means the better reading on that one measure, not a recommendation to buy.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Metric | PHB | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.50% | 0.05%Best |
| AUM | $387M | $158.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 5.06% | 2.51% |
| Holdings | 268 | 8,747 |
| Volatility (annualized) | 6.7%Best | 15.0% |
| Max Drawdown | -21.5%Best | -39.9% |
| $10,000 over 15.1 years | $20,036Best | $19,892 |
| Fund Family | Invesco (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Fixed Income | Equity |
| Style | High Yield Bond | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Nov 15, 2007 | Jan 26, 2011 |
Not shown on this pair: YTD Return, 1Y Return, 3Y Return (annualized), 5Y Return (annualized), Top 10 Weight.
The two price series end 210 days apart, so a return over any period would be measuring two different stretches of market. Those rows are withheld. PHB has data through Feb 20, 2026 and VXUS through Sep 18, 2026.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 15.1 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Jan 28, 2011 to Feb 20, 2026 (15.1 years).
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VXUS has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 15.0% compared with 6.7% for PHB. Lower volatility generally means a smoother ride, though it often comes with lower long-run returns.
The deepest peak-to-trough decline in our data was -21.5% for PHB and -39.9% for VXUS. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.76. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
PHB charges 0.50% per year while VXUS charges 0.05%. On a $10,000 position that is $50 vs $5 annually, a gap of $45 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, PHB currently yields 5.06% against 2.51% for VXUS.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 260 holdings in PHB and 8,082 in VXUS, totalling 98.1% and 88.8% of the two funds. The two books name no position in common, so there is no overlap percentage to show.
The two holdings books were reported 304 days apart, PHB as of Sep 30, 2025 and VXUS as of Jul 31, 2026, so some of the difference between them is the time between the two reports rather than the funds.
0 positions in common, counted across the 260 positions we hold weights for in PHB and 8,082 in VXUS, against full books of 268 and 8,747.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of PHB and VXUS you pick has to sit alongside everything else you own. Add the rest and see what the combination actually holds.
Free for up to 10 holdings. No account needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, PHB or VXUS?
PHB has an expense ratio of 0.50% while VXUS charges 0.05%. VXUS is the cheaper option, by $45 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which is riskier, PHB or VXUS?
VXUS has been the more volatile fund at 15.0% annualized versus 6.7% for PHB. Worst drawdown: PHB -21.5% vs VXUS -39.9%.
Should I hold both PHB and VXUS?
PHB and VXUS have a monthly-return correlation of 0.76, so their returns are far enough apart for the mix to behave differently from either one alone. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which pays a higher dividend, PHB or VXUS?
PHB yields 5.06% while VXUS yields 2.51%, so PHB currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VXUS better than PHB?
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. PHB led over the full window, VXUS over 1Y. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.